Serving With Eyes
Wide Open
Article By: Nathan Hoff, MACM
Rewrite November 12, 2025
Original Article – 2019
Serving With Eyes Wide Open – Cultrual Intelligence Missions
This article speaks to the missions of Christians and evangelism. Concerning missions, most believers point to the great commission found in Matthew 28:19–20 however, the way most western missions are conduct fall short of this commission.
David Livermore states, “Sadly, however, our increase accessibility to the globe doesn’t seem to have dwindled our colonialist tendencies. Much of the way we interact cross-culturally continues to be filled with an ‘our way is the best’ mentality.”[1]
Readers be aware!
Christ’s intent in the great commission was to share the gospel of Christ not the western intellect of how missions should be according to western beliefs.
Instead Believers Should:
When believers attempt to evangelize seek to understand the culture of the Bible and how it translates to the culture you are speaking with. Speak in terms that focuses on Christ in words the listener will understand and does not compromise the biblical truth.
Not all believers are gifted for evangelism (Ephesians 4:11) however, all must be able to give an account for the hope that is in oneself (1 Peter 3:15). This author believes that all Christians should prepare to give an account for their faith even if they do not feel comfortable speaking in public to one or more persons. When you are questioned or challenged to why you have “Faith” in an invisible god, a god who hates and destroys. One who is not tolerate of other’s lifestyles – you MUST be prepared to give a defense (a reason) for your faith.
[1] David A. Livermore, Serving with Eyes Wide Open: Doing Short-Term Missions with Cultural Intelligence Updated ed. (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2013), 15.
Summary of Mission Service with Cultural Intelligence.
What seems to happen far to often when Western missionaries travel to a foreign nation to present the Gospel of Jesus Christ the “CEO Mentality” of westerners take over.
We, especially in the American culture as well as other industrialized 1st nation countries appear to be unable to disconnect “I am an American” or “I am from the modern world” and we seem to subconsciously do things with the “CEO Mentality” or “I know better Mentality” to include worshiping and teaching about God. In essence our way is the only and right way to do anything this is why we have a 1st world nation. This mentality carries over to the way we teach to glorify God the Father through Jesus Christ!
Experienced missionaries will tell you one thing that each of them have in common. That is they could not go to a nation or people group and right away begin preaching the Gospel of Christ!
No, it takes many months and even years for missionaries to become:
*A Trusted Member of the Local Community
Unless you have gather the cultural intelligence required, teaching the Gospel is hindered – even using a translator, which is often what is required as you first arrive in a new mission area.
Some of the things which become hinder includes:
- You cannot properly teach the gospel if you do not understand the culture.
- You cannot properly teach the gospel if you do not know the language.
- You cannot properly teach the gospel if you do not care about the community as humans who like yourself are created in the image of God.
- You cannot properly teach the Word of God without doing real “Cultural Intelligence”.
Let’s break it down – There western Christians who know Scripture, know how to teach the Gospel to western people, understand the language that they teach in, have a spirit on fire for God and love for God.
The HARD TRUTH is -YES! you are a gifted teacher of the Gospel to western people of your own nation BUT You may not be a fit to teach the Gospel to other nations UNTIL you prepare yourself to become one of those with whom you will teach [Cultural Intelligence].
The apostle Paul said, in 1 Corinthians 9:19-22 that he became all things to all people. What he didn’t do was become or display immoral qualities or disobey God to impress sinners to confess their sins and need for Christ as Lord of their life. NO, indeed he used CULTURAL INTELLIGENCE….he became weak for the weak, for others he understood their culture and customs even though he wasn’t bond by them…he understood their culture background/language.
Therefore, it is best to work with organizations who can help you become culturally awake in the areas you may be lacking. Many mission sending organizations have programs which do these trainings. Even working as a co-missionary can help you in your journey.
What is the Reason for Your Hope in Jesus?
